Detroit Pistons: Each young player’s biggest rival

Detroit Pistons: Each young player’s biggest rival

Jaden Ivey vs. Bennedict Mathurin

These two went back-to-back in the same draft, play on teams in the same division and Mathurin narrowly beat out Ivey for the first team All-Rookie squad last season, so they have a natural rivalry that should continue to grow.

I thought Ivey had a slightly better season than Mathurin (shocker) and I’m sure Ivey is out to prove that the Detroit Pistons did the right thing when they drafted him ahead of Mathurin. The young backcourts of the Pacers and Pistons will be fun to watch in their four head-to-head meetings next season.

Cade Cunningham vs. Jalen Green

This is another one that mostly exists for fans, though I am sure each of these guys wants to beat the other one every time they step on the floor. Cade and Jalen Green have known each other and been playing against one another since high school and that rivalry was only strengthened when the Pistons took Cunningham with the first pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, bypassing Jalen Green in the process. Green promised revenge, though both teams have been horrible and Cade was out most of last season, so we really haven’t gotten to see much of what could end up being one of the best young rivalries in the NBA next season.